Page 26 of You Had Me At No
Hey how are you feeling?
Quinn: Still fucking awful. Idk what I did
You were probably working too hard baby. Immune system drop and everything. Or maybe you just choked too hard ??
Quinn: Liam.
??too soon?
Quinn: Too soon.
Want some company?
Quinn: Actually, I’d love some. And I’m starving
Anything in particular?
Quinn: No, nothing really sounds good. Surprise me I guess.
Be there soon…
I decide to stop at Sunny Dog Café to grab some of their world-class butter noodles. This place isn’t home, but it’s pretty damn close and that’s saying something. My mom would always make them for me when I was sick, and they are what always hits the spot. They’re plain but just oh-so-yummy and buttery and simply perfect. As soon as they’re ready, I head to her place.
It’s not far and it’s a nice day, so I decide to walk. I let the bag of takeout containers swing by my leg as I think about how my life has changed in the last few months. I went from living somewhere completely different, to now owning my own shop. There’s this quiet community where everyone knows everyone and there’s a butter noodle shop that reminds me of home. I have this perfect girl, who may not admit she’s mine yet, but she really is, and I’m not sure how life can get much better. The beach is close. There’s a donut and coffee ready for me every morning.
I let out a heavy exhale as I bask in the pleasure I currently feel. There are not many times when everything is justperfect,but this is one of them.
I turn into the BNB entrance and make my way up the stairs and down the hall to her room. I let myself in with the key she has hidden and find her curled up in a ball in bed.
“You doing okay?” I ask her.
“Nuh-uh,” she whines.
I set the noodles on the bedside table and drop to my knees near her face. I tuck the stray strand of hair behind her ear before leaning forward and kissing her forehead. Her temperature doesn’t feel any different on my lips. That’s a good sign. I let my hand linger on her cheek, rubbing my thumb back and forth over the skin while I look at her.
“I brought noods.” I get a small, sad smile out of her, but it’s the most lively she’s been since our date.
“Noods?” she says with a small laugh.
“Ya, noodles.” I laugh too. “Come on, let’s get you up.”
I take her hand and help her sit up. I get her meal and set her up before I grab the cup from the side table and go to fill it up from the water dispenser.
I come back and she’s picking at the food. I don’t say anything, just give her back the cup, leave a sports drink, grab my food, and join her in bed. I eat my noods while she picks at hers. I turn on a movie because the silence is just too loud. Eventually, she puts the container back on the side table and leans into me. I drop my meal to put an arm around her and snuggle her in closer. She shifts her body so she’s half lying on me, and at some point, she falls asleep.
I fucking hate that she’s sick, but I love that she’s finding comfort in me. I wish it didn’t have to be in this scenario, but I’m glad I’m able to help her like this. I watch movie after movie, and even when my bladder threatens to burst, I don’t dare move. I will soak up every fucking second.
Quinn
“Ow.” It feels like someone beat me in the head with a hammer. I open my eyes and there’s a hard body next to me. I look up and Liam is gently snoring.
I grab my phone and turn on the flashlight so that I don’t wake him up. I quietly rummage through my bedside drawer for my Tylenol. I grab my birth control pack and notice I haven’t taken it in a few days. “Fuck,” I mutter to myself. I snap a pill out ofthe pack and place it on my tongue. I lift my water to my lips and stop midway.
If I haven’t taken my pill the last few days, I should have started my period already, but I haven’t had any symptoms.Double fuck.The nausea starts up again.No, no, no.“Okay, Quinn, calm down. You just caught a stomach bug, and you’ll start your period soon,” I say to myself.
I look at the time on my phone. He’s going to be late for work. I gently tap him. “Liam,” I whisper. He doesn’t budge. I shake him just a little bit. Still nothing. So I raise my voice more. “Liam, you need to get up.”
He groans lightly.
